By Anna Guido
Enquirer contributor

Occupational therapist Shanna Wolfinbarger (left) and physical therapist Michele Schweinefuss work with 5-year-old Jordan Reid at the Fort Hamilton Hospital Center for Health and Wellness. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

FAIRFIELD TWP. - Quit smoking, improve your marriage, raise happy and obedient children, exercise, eat right and learn lifesaving skills.

You can get information and guidance on all those things in classes and programs offered through the Fort Hamilton Hospital Center for Health and Wellness. The center, in partnership with the East Butler County YMCA at Morris and Princeton roads, is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month. In the past year, the number of people seeking outpatient and health education services at the center each month has nearly quadrupled to more than 550.

"It's been a wonderful blend for us," said Kathy Mense, a registered nurse and community program coordinator.

Hospital and YMCA partnerships are growing nationally. Countryside YMCA in Lebanon and Middletown Regional Hospital are other local examples.

Part of the draw is the feasibility of combining health care and physical fitness services under one roof.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Emergency Readiness, 9 a.m. to noon May 17: This program is geared to parents and children of all ages. It focuses on injury prevention and giving care during an emergency. "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (You Just Weren't Sure Who to Ask)," 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 31. This program is geared to mothers and daughters and will focus on empowering young women to make smart choices. For more information or a complete list of classes and programs, call the center at 856-9355.

The partnership also allows hospitals and YMCAs to package together programming, such as nutrition counseling with personal weight training.

For Dana and Vance Reid, the opening of Fort Hamilton's health and wellness center with the East Butler County Y has been a blessing. The couple and their 5-year-old triplets live nearby. Daughter Jordan, who has cerebral palsy, gets physical therapy in the warm-water therapy pool at the Y on Fridays.

"Being in the water is so much less painful for her," Dana said.

Yoga, childbirth education, massage therapy and marriage classes have been the most popular.

An immunization clinic, blood pressure checks, and groups for women, senior citizens and new mothers also are available.

"Our goal is to help people prevent disease and illness in order to live longer and healthier," center coordinator Julia Walter said.

"We want community members to be better parents, to have better marriages, to eat healthier, to manage stress better."